New CDs

This CD cover image released by Epic Records shows 'Ciara' by Ciara.

Jay-Z, 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' (Roc Nation/Universal)

Kanye didn't care about satisfying radio with his latest album.

Neither does Jay-Z.

"Magna Carta Holy Grail," the rapper's 12th album, doesn't have the pop or mainstream appeal his past records have offered. The 16-track set, mostly helmed by Timbaland, is full of robust and moody hip-hop beats that maintain a nice groove, but don't expect any booming anthems or party jams here. Like Kanye, there isn't a single or music video ahead of the album's release, which comes out officially on Sunday though up to 1 million Samsung mobile phone users were able to download the album for free on July Fourth.

With the exception of rapping about fatherhood and infant daughter Blue Ivy, lyrically, "Magna Carta" doesn't tell us anything new about the superstar. We all know how he rose from selling drugs in the Brooklyn projects to become arguably the most important rapper of all time, his multiplatinum feats, his awards, and the benefits of having a superstar wife - Beyonce - at his side. But while Jay-Z continues to make headlines away from music, this album treads familiar ground, which makes the album - dare we say it? - average.

He'll remind you that Samsung bought 1 million copies of the record and gave it away three days early - on songs such as "Somewhere In America." There's similar flavor lyrically on the bumping "Picasso Baby," where Beyonce gets a shout-out: "Sleeping every night next to Mona Lisa, the modern version, with better features."

It's when he talks about the other lady in his life, his 1-year-old daughter, where we see a rare side of the typically braggadocio rapper. "Now I got tattoos on my body, psycho (expletive) in my lobby, I got haters in the paper, photos shoots with paparazzi, can't even take my daughter for a walk," he raps on "Holy Grail," a collaboration with Justin Timberlake. It's revealing, and especially special coming from the often-unfazed Jay-Z.

Jay-Z announced the album in a commercial during the NBA Finals and launched a series of videos explaining the recording process and songs. He's continuing to create new blueprints to debut his music. That should be congratulated, but the songs on "Magna Carta" don't boom like his business plan.

Ciara, 'Ciara' (Epic Records)

The lead single from Ciara's self-titled fifth album, "Body Party," is an oozing, seductive R&B track that deserves rousing applause - especially when the 27-year-old matches the song with daring and sensual dance moves that scream Janet Jackson, Aaliyah and others that have come before her, as she did at the recent BET Awards.

The bedroom groove is easily the best of the 11 tracks that make up "Ciara." There are others that shine, too: The bouncy "Livin' It Up," one of two songs to feature Nicki Minaj, has an empowering feel; the mid-tempo "Read My Lips" is appealing and Ciara's sweet tone rides nicely over the semi-electronic beat of "Overdose."

Still, the album doesn't feel special. While it's much better than her last two releases, "Fantasy Ride" and "Basic Instinct," the album is made up of fillers that have you still wondering what kind of singer Ciara is.